LASTEM Advisory Council

During the 2017 legislative session, the legislature approved ACT 392 to create the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LASTEM) Advisory Council. Under the leadership of the Louisiana Board of Regents, the LASTEM Advisory Council shall:

      • Create and provide with respect to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Fund,
      • Provide for a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics high school diploma endorsement, and
      • Provide for related matters.

KEY PROGRAMS   REGIONAL CENTER RFA   ANNUAL LASTEM SUMMIT   DEFINING STEM   CONTACT LASTEM

Advisory Council Meetings

2024 Quarterly Meetings

  • February 22, 2024 –Agenda | Minutes (pending approval) | Presentation
  • June 19, 2024 – Cancelled due to the proclamation for the Juneteenth holiday
  • August 15, 2024 – Location TBD

2023 Quarterly Meetings

2022 Quarterly Meetings

2021 Quarterly Meetings

2020 Quarterly Meetings

2019 Quarterly Meetings

2018 Monthly Meetings

2017 Monthly Meetings

Regional STEM Center Network

The Louisiana Regional STEM Center Network is a system of STEM leadership entities strategically positioned across Louisiana, similar to the Regional Labor Market Areas (RLMAs) identified by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, whereby communities, parishes, multi-parish regions, and the State can achieve improved access to STEM education, participation, and advancement. This includes closing the opportunity gap for underrepresented and underserved populations to engage in Louisiana’s STEM workforce and economy.  Existing and developing STEM activities will often span one or more STEM Regions. Regions will share information, work together, and be interconnected by coordinating resources, which can also provide a gateway to other networks and initiatives. The Regional STEM Networks and Centers are connected with and serve the statewide LASTEM Advisory Council.

View the Regional Network

Annual Reports

2018 LASTEM Status Report

2019 LASTEM Status Report

2020 LASTEM Status Report

2021 LASTEM Status Report

2022 LASTEM Status Report

2023 LASTEM Status Report

2024 LASTEM Status Report

Educator Resources

Nepris for Classrooms

Nepris for Classrooms

Over 26 million jobs in the US require a high level of knowledge in at least one STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. Expose your students to careers by providing them an opportunity to speak live with professionals who apply STEM concepts in their everyday careers. Nepris virtual connections help students make more informed decisions about college and careers. Whether it’s a civil engineer, a surgeon, or an app developer, Nepris brings professionals to your classroom via video conference, making STEM content come to life so that every day can be a career day! Louisiana teachers have hosted over 750 live interactions to date – join your fellow teachers in making connections that last a lifetime.

MORE INFO

GNO STEM

GNO STEM

GNO STEM provides K-12 math and science teachers with the tools and resources they need to deliver hands-on, minds-on learning opportunities in the classroom. GNO STEM’s teacher professional development programs ensure that students receive the rigorous and enriched classroom instruction they need to encourage critical thinking and ultimately foster student proficiency and interest in STEM subjects and careers.

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Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Project Lead The Way

Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning. Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning. PLTW Launch (K-5), PLTW Gateway (6-8), PLTW Computer Science (9-12), PLTW Engineering (9-12), PLTW Biomedical Science (9-12). Project Lead The Way (PLTW) currently partners with 80 schools across 20 Parishes in Louisiana to implement 5 comprehensive STEM programs for students in grades K-12. These programs include K-12 pathways in Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Science.

MORE INFO

STEM Diversity Professional Organizations

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Louisiana Women in Technology (LAWIT)

Student Resources

Robotics

FIRST ROBOTICS

VEX ROBOTICS

Sponsored STEM Programs

STEM NOLA

THE FUTURES FUND

BRICKS 4 KIDZ

STEM for Girls and Women

Electric Girls

Girls Who Code

GiST

National Girls Collaborative Project

SeaPerch

The Perry Iniative

Women in Cybersecurity

Esports

Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation

Advisory Council Members

Name Title/Affiliation
Dr. Kim Hunter Reed Commissioner of Higher Education, Louisiana Board of Regents
Senator Beth Mizell Louisiana State Senate, District 12
Dr. Clint Coleman LASTEM and Cybersecurity Program Administrator
Dr. Francesca Mellieon-Williams Associate Professor of Science and Mathematics Education, Southern University and A&M College
Larry Carter President, United Teachers of New Orleans
Jamie Mixon Louisiana Department of Education Representative
Dr. Bianca Deliberto Louisiana Science Teachers Association Representative
Emily DiPalma Louisiana Workforce Commission Representative
Dr. Frank Neubrander Louisiana State University System Representative
Camille Ivy-O’Donnell Bentin Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Representative
Dr. Patty Glaser Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Representative
Crystal Williams Gordon Louisiana Association of Educators Representative, East Baton Rouge Public Schools
Rick Gallot President, University of Louisiana System
Representative Vincent “Vinney” St. Blanc III Louisiana House of Representatives
Melissa Mann Secretary of the Department of Economic Development Representative
Ronnie Morris Member, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
Dr. Calvin Mackie Governor Appointee
Kaneisha Bailey Akinpelumi Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU) Representative, Xavier University of Louisiana
Christen Timmins President, Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics (LATM)
Robin Cosenza Louisiana School Boards Association Representative
Paul J. Helton Louisiana Economic Development Representative, LED FastStart
Taya Loupe Louisiana Association of Principals Representative
Dr. Lealon Martin Dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering, Southern University and A&M College
Dr. Wendi Palermo Louisiana Community & Technical College System Representative
Tina Watts Community Investor, Boeing Global Engagement
Dr. Jaimee McCullen Williams Governor Appointee
Tom Yura Vice President of Operations, Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc.
David St. Etienne Workforce Investment Council (WIC) Representative
Dr. David Lafargue Executive Director for Workforce Solution, SOWELA Technical Community College
Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent Associate Dean of Research, Outreach and Innovation, College of Education, Louisiana Tech University

Regional STEM Centers

Region Awarding Institution Center Name Center Director Email
Region 1
Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.)
Daphine Barnes
Region 2
Louisiana State University
Summer Dann
Region 3
Fletcher Technical Community College
Christie Landry
Region 4
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Angela Boxie
Region 5
Calcasieu Parish School Board
Mark Arseneault
Region 6
Northwestern State University
Jennifer DePriest
Region 7
Sci-Port Discovery Center
Dr. Heather Kleiner
Region 8
Louisiana Tech University
Cathi Cox-Boniol
Region 9
Southeastern Louisiana University
Wendy Conarro

The Master Plan

To move Louisiana aggressively forward, the Board of Regents has embraced a robust new attainment goal that calls for 60% of all working-age adults (ages 25-64) in Louisiana to hold a degree or high-value credential by 2030. As we stand on the brink of a new decade, this Master Plan, born of the Board of Regents’ unique charge to guide postsecondary education across the state, will set the foundation to increase opportunity.  Our Talent Imperative is to Educate, Innovate, and Collaborate.

Master Plan for Higher Education